Quality Manager

Who Are We

Sonaca North America is driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence. As a leading provider of aerospace and defense solutions, we are dedicated to making air and space travel safe and sustainable. We have 12 locations across North America and our engineering expertise and operational excellence set us apart from the competition.

Since the beginning in 1948, we have a proven track record of delivering high-quality products and services that are reliable, safe, and efficient. Our team of experts is dedicated to staying ahead of the curve in the aerospace and defense industry, utilizing the latest technologies and processes to ensure that we deliver the best possible solutions to our customers.

Position Summary

We are currently seeking a Quality Manager. This position is responsible to lead the total plant Quality Assurance / Quality Control system. This includes all traditional quality verification activities including receiving and in-process inspection; test, audit, and repair activities; continuous improvement; product launch; supplier quality; and quality system compliance.

Our Quality Managers plan, coordinate and direct the facility quality control program the design of which ensures continuous production of products consistent with established standards by performing the following duties personally or through subordinates. Acts as focal for inter plant communication and plan development, assuring a cohesive approach to meeting its and its customers’ quality system requirements.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Ensure that processes needed for the Quality Management System (QMS) are established, implemented and maintained.
• Ensure the promotion of awareness of customer requirements throughout the organization.
• Develop, collect, and report performance metrics as needed to senior management including defect and scrap data including corrective action status.
• Provides budgetary inputs for training and ongoing quality assurance activities to meet near and long-term contract requirements.
• Establishing systems for data collection and analysis then using that data to drive continuous improvement activities.
• Lead and monitor CAR (Corrective Action Request) and Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) activities for systemic issues and to ensure robust product and process improvements.
• Plan, lead and measure process and voice of customer performance and quality system effectiveness and adjust in strategy and/or procedures as necessary.
• Lead proactive quality improvements through the proper execution of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) within the facility to ensure the flawless launch of new products and managing quality deliverables associated with product and process design changes.
• Through familiarity with customer requirements, analyzes existing quality procedures and systems to determine their level of compliance to requirements.
• Develops or enlists the support of others to develop revisions to procedures or formulate new procedures, including delineation of areas of responsibility and technical instructions.
• Oversees inspections of raw materials, materials in process, and finished products.
• Responsible for the development of quality standards and protocols for quality assurance testing models.
• Formulates quality control objectives for the facility, e.g. defect reduction and operator certification for specified quality tasks and coordinates the objectives with production management and manufacturing procedures to maximize product reliability and minimize costs associated with rework, scrap and escapements.
• Communicates expectations of performance and results, coach’s individuals and team toward achievement and holds them accountable for performance, using both positive reinforcement and disciplinary action as necessary and within the confines of fairness and company policy.
• Works to develop and facilitate a cohesive team environment which builds confidence and strong morale among inspection personnel and between inspection and manufacturing and support personnel.
• Trains and directs the activities of QC personnel engaged in the inspection and testing of work-in-process and finished products to insure continuous control of materials and products, consistency in the interpretation of quality requirements, inspection methods and the calibration and use of various inspection media; consistency in the completion of quality documentation (including manufacturing work orders, NMD's, first article and customer specific quality paperwork).
• Ensures that QC personnel devote a significant proportion of their time and effort in the orientation and training of manufacturing personnel to recognize product quality, interpret customer engineering and related requirements, understand inspection methods and use appropriate inspection media in the proper way to evaluate part configuration.
• Ensure that all new staff are inducted into the requirements of the QMS related to their own roles and responsibilities. Provide update training as necessary.
• Investigates and responds to customer complaints regarding quality. This may entail technical responses to written claims and complaints, on-site visits to customer facilities, negotiation with customer quality representatives and/or reporting process capability and out-of-scope issues to interested customer service and program management personnel.
• Develops a cooperative, professional relationship with manufacturing management in order to facilitate and coordinate functions and operations between the departments and to establish responsibilities, procedures and criteria for attaining quality and manufacturing objectives.
• Evaluates constraints of the existing quality department processes and procedures and develops strategies to address and resolve the constraints (e.g. source backlog, variability in inspection criteria/interpretation, random auditing, sampling) and monitors backlog of future work in order to adjust staffing requirements by moving existing personnel or adding personnel as appropriate.
• Develops or assists with the development of training and workshops to ensure that personnel are informed and knowledgeable about quality system and procedures.
• Responsible to ensure that training resources are maintained in accordance with established procedure and that individual and group training records are forwarded to the appropriate person(s) for input into database and hard copy files.
• Ensure that document control procedures are utilized to approve, review and update all changes to critical documents within the scope of the QMS.
• Manage, coach, and develop the quality team and promote a positive quality culture throughout the facility by establishing sound systems and a demonstrated process focus.
• Carries out personnel management responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Education And Experiences

• Minimum 7 years' experience in Quality Assurance working in a progressively responsible capacity, minimum of 3 years in a supervisory capacity.
• Bachelor's degree with major course work in quality and/or manufacturing engineering is preferred.
• Experience as a Quality Assurance Manager in technical industry
• Experience in recognized quality (ISO9001/AS9100) and process (NADCAP) systems in an aerospace and/or defense environment Experience implementing ISO 9001/AS9100 and other quality initiatives
• Working knowledge of mechanical inspection methods and tools including ability to read and understand manufacturing routers, instructions, and drawings including GD&T Experience with training and building strong work teams that require minimal management oversight using good delegation skills and understand participative decision-making.
• Experience with 6 Sigma an advantage, but not essential
• Trained quality systems auditor highly preferred

WHY CHOOSE SONACA NORTH AMERICA?

We take care of our people.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a percentage company-match contribution
• Competitive wages
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental insurance
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Employee assistance plan — for access to counseling, consulting and other community resources
• Wellness program
• Tuition assistance
• Subject to eligibility, terms, and conditions

This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties may differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties, as assigned, may be required. This document does not create an employment contract. Employees of the Company are employed on an “at will” basis and may be terminated at any time.

Sonaca North America is an E-Verify Employer.

Sonaca North America is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Disability/Veterans Employer